How do I install a OEM 12 disc changer in my 02 SSEi?

[ddalder]

So what kind of signal goes to and from the RCDLR? Is it a signal that tells the radio, 'hey there's something plugged into these terminals' so that it recognizes the cdx as being hooked into the system? Is it just an electrical pulse so it knows 'something' is there, or is there an actual 1's and 0's signal being sent that says this is a cdx so the radio knows how to control it?

It's really just a convenient place to make the connection. There are countless places you could do this but physically it's close and easy to access. The RCDLR is on the data "network" along with several other devices (including the radio). Here is a simple diagram of how the Class 2 Data Bus interconnects. This is symbolic of the structure but it should not be interpreted literally (ie: the RCDLR is not connected next to the EBCM in the chain). Regardless, this is a single wire bus so exact placement of each module in the chain means nothing.

All devices on the bus have a unique device ID. Messages are sent between modules as needed with this ID and data following for the intended module. In simple terms, if a packet is sent, each module looks at the header. If it's not intended for that module, it is simply ignored. This way the radio can send a command to the CDX and all others simply let it pass by.

[kts0347]

Does this mean I can splice in somewhere other than the head unit connector? Is there a convenient place where I can make a direct splice to connect my CDX player? (in case I just can't find those copper terminals anywhere)

[ddalder]

No. The audio signal MUST connect directly to the head unit. This applies only to control signals sent over the class 2 data bus (the two PPL wires).

[ddalder]

So what kind of signal goes to and from the RCDLR? Is it a signal that tells the radio, 'hey there's something plugged into these terminals' so that it recognizes the cdx as being hooked into the system? Is it just an electrical pulse so it knows 'something' is there, or is there an actual 1's and 0's signal being sent that says this is a cdx so the radio knows how to control it?

To further answer your question, each module regularly broadcasts a State of Health (SOH) message on the data bus. This is how the radio knows the CDX is there. This is also how some DTC's are set. When a module fails, another on the data bus will recognize the SOH message is no longer being broadcast and will set the code.

The audio input for the CDX is also shared by the XM receiver. If the radio detects the presence of either module, it will allow the user to select either a disc from the CDX or the XM radio and will use the auxiliary input on the back of the radio as the audio source.

[00SLE]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

[ddalder]

To keep you posted on progress.

I found a correct bracket CD player from an 01 Bonne, complete with the CDX connector pigtail.

I found a different yard that had a soft trim pad and the mounting bolts and studs.

Now, I am looking for the three copper terminals to add to my head unit connector, so I can build the wiring harness. The yards don't want to cut off the head unit connector from the front harness. If anyone can help with these terminals it would be very appreciated.

Just wondering if you have finished this project yet. I'm curious to know how everything went.

[kts0347]

Hello,

Nope, I haven't got it done yet. I got called out of town, and will be gone until August. So, my pile of accumulated parts is just sitting waiting for me.
I have the player, a pigtail harness that connects to the player, the brackets, and the correct trunk soft trim piece. The yard lost the bolts, but I imagine I can McGruber something from the Hardware store. I still need to get the terminals to push into my headpiece connector, then I'm all set to start. Don't know which is easier - installation or getting all the pieces together.

[ddalder]

Don't know which is easier - installation or getting all the pieces together.

Do I know that feeling! I'll be interested in hearing how it goes. Thanks for the reply.

[GXPete]

kts, how did you make out on this project? I'm looking at doing the same to my '05 and this thread was a great education.

[kts0347]

I spent all summer in Detroit so I ravaged the wrecking yards there for a suitable car. Turns out that wrecking yards only keep older cars in their yards - the theory being that only owners of older cars will come out and self-salvage miscellaneous parts off the carcasses. Newer cars are stripped of their big ticket items, and dispatched to the crusher. So, there were absolutely no 2002 and newer Bonnevilles in any of the yards (and I went to a lot of them.) So, next I contacted a Pontiac dealer. They actually turned me loose in their service department to rummage through their connector inventory. (Probably knew they wouldn't need them much longer.) They had at least 300 different types of connectors there - non of which fit my unit. But... they did lead me in the direction of two companies that re-manufacture OEM radios and IP panels for late model cars. I actually talked with the techs at both of these companies, who knew exactly what I was describing. They told me they have to salvage these terminals out of wrecked cars, because there isn't any supplier. So there it was - I had gone full circle. But then one tech confided that he normally doesn't go to all the bother of trying to find those pesky terminals. If he needs to add additional leads to a radio, he just opens it up and runs a new connector wire out of the back of the radio, not trying for the sophisticated solution of using the existing connector. With this in mind, I've collected a number of three wire connectors from the wreckers, and am waiting for a brave moment when I will remove and dissect my radio to add the new lead for the additional wire harness. I have been fully committed to getting my income tax dispatched to Uncle Sam on time, so haven't gone there yet. It's going to take a brave moment for me to hack into the guts of the radio.

[harofreak00]

Which connector are you looking for?

Don't go the route that mechanic suggested, sounds messy.

[kts0347]

Hi Andrew.

The Bonneville radio is equipped with a "Dock n Lock" connector. The male end of the connector is attached to the IP wiring harness, and it plugs into the female end that is guilt into the back side of the receiver. There are about 12 slots on the top of the connector and a like number on the bottom. The receiver itself is has sufficient female terminal pins in the female connector for all functions. But unless the car was ordered with the OPTIONAL trunk mounted CD player, the male side of the connector is short the actual terminal pins in the three slots used for the CD player function.

The DIY solution is to fabricate an independent wiring harness to run from the trunk to the IP panel. Then connect to the receiver wiring harness at the IP, using three additional pieces of the actual brass terminal pin that fits inside the empty slots in the male side of the dock n lock connector. They are specific to the connector, and have appropriate prongs to grip the sides of the empty slot. These brass male terminal pins are crimped onto the three wire harness run from the back trunk and simply inserted into the empty slots in the existing male dock n lock connector.. When the upgraded dock n lock connector is plugged into the receiver, the new male terminal pins make connection with the pre-existing female terminal pins in the receiver side of the connector (assuming you put the males into the correct empty slots - LOL) and you are in business.

The problem is finding three pieces of these male brass terminal pins. They are not sold separately. The only way to get hold of them is to actually cut a pigtail lead off a scrap car, and I just haven't found a scrap 2002 or newer Bonneville in a yard that permits DIY salvage. The bigger yards that have the newer model year parts don't want to take the time to go out and clip the connector for such a minor sale and don't keep the cars for DIY salvage, they just send them off to the crusher. So, I still haven't got the three terminal pins I need to finish the project. I have everything else, and the project is just languishing for lack of these three tiny brass pieces.

If you or anyone has a salvage 2002 OR NEWER Bonneville and would clip off the male receiver dock and lock connector and 4-5 inches of pig tail lead, and send it to me, I would be in your debt forever. I will salvage three of the terminal pins from it, and keep the remainder in safe keeping for when someone else undertakes this project and needs them.

To see pictures of the actual Dock n Lock male connector and the brass terminal pins that I need to salvage out of it, please go to page one of this topic and look up a post by ddalder dated April 23, 2009. These are only used in 2002 or newer Bonnevilles.

If you have the part I need, I would be forever grateful.

Thanks.

Keith

[GXPete]

I will salvage three of the terminal pins from it, and keep the remainder in safe keeping for when someone else undertakes this project and needs them.

Like me!

[harofreak00]

Keith,

I am quite aware of the struggles when doing this mod, as I have done it myself: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... =9&t=13810

While I don't have one on hand, I have parted out several 02+ Bonnevilles including that wiring harness you need.

[kts0347]

I put a post onto the Parts Wanted forum. Hopefully someone will have a donor car they are willing to cannibalize.

And, yes, I will definitely send the wealth on if I am lucky enough to get a pig tail to salvage from.

Keith

[GXPete]

Any luck? I have the carpeting out of my Bonnie right now working on a leak issue, and while I have it out I'm going to build the harness to prepare for a changer.

BTW, my cousin works for GM and he's going to look into options for me too. He has some connections with people that work on this type of stuff. I'll let you know what he comes up with, if anything.

[kts0347]

No, I haven't had any reply to my posts as of yet. It seems like this part is not commonly salvaged. Generally they send the car to the crusher with the wire harness still intact. It's just too small to attract any salvage attention.

I purchased a four prong plug set that is normally used for a trailer lighting connection. I'm thinking to pull the receiver, and solder the wires onto the leads inside the receiver that come from the receiver's dock and lock connection. Then just drape this independent harness out of a hole I would drill in the receiver. Then I can plug in the CDX independent of the dock and lock connection.

I am losing confidence that I will ever round up those three miserable brass pins that I need to complete the dock and lock.

Keith :sad5:

[GXPete]

Well here's an interesting wrinkle, Keith. I was reading ddalder's comments and looking at the pictures again and I went back and pulled my radio again and found that I actually have the A9, A10 & A11 pins on my '05 GXP's DNL connector. And not only do I have the pins, there are wires connected to them. Given that, I decided to go back and take another look at the trunk. I pulled all the trim out and I didn't find the harness tucked away anywhere, which didn't surprise me given what folks here have said about not having the harness if the car wasn't built with the CDX. However, if ddalder was correct about which pins are for the CDX, then tomorrow I'm going to find out where those wires go. If they go back to the trunk but just dead end in the harness tubing, then all I'll need is the connector for the back of the CDX and I'll be halfway home.

My connector did have 4 blanks spots without pins, but on the top side not the bottom side. I'll keep you posted on what I find.

[kts0347]

Wow, that's something. I haven't pulled my receiver head, I just assumed the pins were missing. So, that indeed is my next step depending upon what you find with your harness sleuthing. Thanks for the tip. Let us know where the harness dead ends. This might be a simpler install than I imagined. If the harness travels under the carpet before dead ending, that would be magnificent. Great news.

[GXPete]

Ok, I've checked out the car again, and I've gone back and read some more of this thread over again and I think I have it figured out. It works out good for me, but unfortunately not as good for you.

As previously suggested, I don't have the CDX harness and connector in the trunk. However, the reason I do have the pins and wires on my DNL connector that you will unfortunately not have, is because my GXP was already factory equipped with XM. Therefore, I already have the audio output wires going from the XM module to the DNL connector. Remember from ddalder's explanation that those 3 wires end up in parallel on the CDX connector. So in my case, I'll just need one set of the three audio out conductors going from the CDX connector to the XM module, where I'll tap into the three audio out conductors there. Then I'll need the other conductors designated by the violet and orange wires in his post for power and data. All of this is in the back, so I shouldn't have anything to run behind the dash, thankfully.

You're a little more complicated as you don't have either the CDX or XM. Your biggest problem is getting the pins you need for the DNL, and running the wires behind the dash, but even that won't be a big deal once you get the parts you need. My biggest problem is going to be getting the connector for the back of the CDX. Most folks that have harnesses (Andrew?) are understandably not willing to cut the pigtail for the CDX off of a complete harness.